WEBVTT >> THAT BILL PASSSED WITH FLYINGCOLORS TODAY, BUT IT TALKING TO LAWMAKERS TODAY, SOME SAY IT'S ATOSS UP IF IT WILL PASS TOMORROW, EVEN AS STATE AGENCIESARE DESPERATELY WAITING FOR SOME CERTAINTY.>> WE HAVE A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.NO ONE LIKES TO RAISE TAXES.>> REPRESENTATIVE EARL SEARSSAYS THE LEGISLATURE CAN ALWAYSCOME BACK IN FUTURE SESSIONS TOREPEAL ANY TAX INCREASES ANDSAYS THAT TIME IS NOT NOW.>> GOOD TIMES WILL RETURN.>> CERTAIN PEOPLE CHOSE NOT TODO THAT AND THEY CHOSE TO LIE TOYOU.>> OTHERS LIKE REPRESENTATIVEKEVIN CALVEY WANTED TO USE CASHTHE STATE ALREADY HAS ON HAND TOFILL THE BUDGET HOLE, AFTER TUESDAY'S HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEEPASSED A BILL THAT RAISES TAXES ON CIGARETTES--FUEL, LOW POINTBEER, AND NEW OIL AND GAS WELLS FROM 2-4%.>> THIS IS ON THE BACKS SOLELYOF MIDDLE INCOME AND POORFAMILIES.>> OKLAHOMA DESERVES CERTAINTYAND STABILITY.>> THIS BILL NOW HEADS FOR AFULL HOUSE VOTE SCHEDULED FORTOMORROW.

Oklahoma lawmakers are one step closer to getting out of a special session to fix the state’s $215 million budget hole.

The House Budget Committee on Tuesday passed a major revenue package that now heads to the House floor for a vote. Some lawmakers said it’s a tossup if the budget bill will pass Wednesday, even as state agencies are desperately waiting for some certainty.

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“We have a golden opportunity,” said Rep. Earl Sears, R-Bartlesville. “No one likes to raise taxes.

Sears said the Legislature can always come back in future sessions to repeal any tax increases, but said that time is not now.

“We don’t have a lot of money just hanging out there,” he said. “Good times will return.”

Other lawmakers, such as Rep. Kevin Calvey, wanted to use cash the state already has on hand to fill the budget hole after the House Budget Committee passed a bill that raises taxes on cigarettes, fuel, low-point beer and new oil and gas wells from 2 percent to 4 percent..

“There’s plenty of cash available to do this, just certain people chose not to do that and they chose to lie to you,” said Calvey, R-Oklahoma City.

Rep. Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa, added, “This is on the backs almost solely of middle-income and working-poor families.”